Worksop Town boss says players must stay in shape during lockdown

Worksop boss Craig Parry is demanding his players maintain their fitness. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

Saturday’s announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson means that for Worksop, all footballing activity will be halted until 2nd December.

With the break from football, the Worksop boss has called upon his side to work on the fitness side of things whilst in lockdown.

Parry stated: “Tonight [Tuesday] we are going to train for the last time, so everyone’s weights will be taken

“We have got to try and use this period for everyone to personally take their own responsibility for their own personal pride to keep fit or get fitter or if they have been injured, then they need to look after themselves so that when we do come out of this lockdown, we don’t have to do a sort of pre-season to get back underway – just a couple of friendlies and then off we go.

“They must look after their lifestyles because with lockdown.

"It is easy to slip into an unhealthy diet and drink lots of alcohol and it is really easy to do that, but they must take care of themselves.

“The four weeks are going to come as quick as possible, and I will be very ruthless if anyone comes back overweight or not in good condition because we don’t have time to play catchup.

“We need everyone back in good condition for us to kick on, so if they don’t listen to what we say then I will be ruthless – as I have been over a couple of times this year – and people will be removed out of the squad.”

Parry’s start to his tenure with the Tigers was originally delayed due to the virus, meaning that he has tolerated an unorthodox beginning to life in the Sandy Lane dugout.

Parry continued: “It is stop-start, and it doesn’t feel like we can get a clear run at things.

"I still think there is a lot of things that are yet to happen and there are many twists and turns left in the season and, hopefully, it will naturally play out.

“This [lockdown] isn’t something that I cannot say that I didn’t see happening.

“When joining a new club, you want a clear run and a clear chance at it all and, unfortunately, it hasn’t been that way so far.”

More Worksop Town news via www.worksopguardian.co.uk